We've had Presidents George, and Bill, and Richard, and Ronald... but never Fred. And if Fred Thompson ever decides to jump into the race for the Republican nomination, that could be a problem. Turns out, the name "Fred" has an image problem. Thanks, in part, to Fred Flintstone, Fred Mertz, and Fred Rogers, the name is seen as either a person who does dumb things, or someone very, very predictable. The Washington Post's Monica Hesse dug up a Fred Society (at their Fredquarters, of course), and even an onomastician (who knew!) to talk a little Fred. Do you care what your candidate's name is? And all you Fred's, do find any of this is true?
Blog Of The Nation
Fred, Roger, even Scott. I dont care, just DO SOMETHING that doesnt piss off the rest of the world for a change. FIX the immigration problem, quit OCCUPYING countries we have no business being in (oh wait, oil IS a business huh?) and by the way, get big business out of the ears of our politicians so they can do what they are supposed to do, represent THE PEOPLE.
I would think that it takes a special kind of woman, or man for that matter, to consider Fred Thompson "charismatic and sexy". Maybe in politics they grade on a curve but I think that only in the "beltway" are they so backward as to consider someone who is just not ordinarily hideous as to be sexy and charismatic.
Glad shefound an onomastician, but think how cool it would have been if she'd found an anthroponomastician? Now that would have rocked.
"What's in a Fred?" is likely to have a very different meaning for those who've spent some time around Silicon Valley:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Fred_Steak
http://www.yelp.com/biz/KgSUPZeROhlkhYzxd2g2eg
Still, I'm not sure what it'd do for a candidate's image.
I seem to remember people saying that "William" Clinton could be elected to the presidency, while no one would *ever* elect a "Bill"!
International Freds:
While the name is stodgy around these parts, two notable men endear the four-letter name on the backs of their soccer shirts. Both are Brazilian soccer players. The first is a striker for the Brazilian national team, as well as for the French League side Olympique Lyonais. The second plays for the MLS side DC United. They are 'Freds' and ride in the back seat for no one.
I'm a Fred, and I like my name: I use Frederic in formal situations, use Fred in casual settings, and use Freddy-Boy with friends. Let's not try to build a repertoire of excuses to explain a loss (should it occur). Besides, if names were such a problem, how could a nation elect 2 generations of Bush? Hasn't anyone seen the t-shirts "Good Bush, Bad Bush"??
Comments
Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.